At a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa made it official. The country's new currency will bear Nelson Mandela's image

South African President Jacob Zuma.

SOUNDBITE: SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, SAYING:

"With this humble gesture we are expressing out deep gratitude as the South African people for the life spent in the service of the people of this country and in the cause of humanity worldwide."

The announcement comes on the 22nd anniversary of the anti-apartheid campaigner's release from prison in 1990.

South African Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.

SOUNDBITE: South African Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan saying:

"And what the imprint on the bank note does is institutionalises this memory for many, many generations to come. It sounds like one event today but what we actually have before us is the beginning of a decades long, generations long process reminding people of where we come from, who are the people that made massive sacrifices to get South Africa to where it is today and where it will be in generations to come."

The new banknotes will be released later this year.

Deborah Gembara, Reuters.